Method and apparatus for document processors

Abstract

Document processor equipment for processing documents requiring operator intervention for the purpose of functions like key entry and encoding of data associated with certain ones of the documents includes an improved system for transporting and presenting documents to the operator for such intervention. A document view station has split parallel transport paths for routing documents requiring operator intervention to the front path near the operator with documents not requiring operator intervention being routed to and along a rear path, the respective routing being effected by a diverter automatically controlled in response to information read from the documents. A preview station and document hold station are respectively provided upstream and downstream from the document view station.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for processing remittance and remittance advice documents, comprising: (a) reader means disposed at a reading station for reading information disposed on the front face of said remittance and remittance advice documents, said reader means including discriminating means responsive to the so-read information for determining which of said documents are first type remittance documents requiring operator intervention and which of said documents are second type remittance advice documents not requiring operator intervention;   (b) encoder means disposed at an encoding station for encoding data on selected ones of said documents;   (c) an operator viewing station disposed between said reader means and said encoder means;   (d) document transport means for transporting said documents past said reader means to said operator viewing station, for halting both said first and second type documents at said operator viewing station, and for thereafter transporting said documents from said viewing station to said encoding station;   (e) means disposed at said operator viewing station defining respective front and rear parallel transport paths; and   (f) diverter means responsive to said discriminating means for always directing said first type remittance documents entering said operator viewing station and requiring operator intervention to said front transport path, and for always directing said second type remittance advice documents entering said operator viewing station and not requiring operator intervention, as determined by the said information read by said reader means, to said rear transport path.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising: keyboard means for operator entry of data corresponding to new information to be printed on the front face of said first type of documents.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising: a document hold station downstream from said operator viewing station and means for advancing a document from the rear transport path to, and for halting at, said document hold station.